Julian B. "Duke" Thompson

Duke Thompson, 94, former naval aviator, passed away July 17, 2014, at Loudoun Hospital. He resided in Arlington, VA from 1945 until 2003, and retired to Falcons Landing military retirement community, Potomac Falls, VA. Born in Salisbury, NC on February 22, 1920, he graduated from Catawba College with a B.S. in Business Administration. He was inducted into the Catawba College Sports Hall of Fame, having excelled in track.

He served in WWII as an aircraft carrier pilot. He was part of Task Group 22.3 on USS Guadalcanal that captured the German U-505 sub, off the coast of Africa, 2 days before D-Day. Duke continued military service in the Naval Reserve and had a lifelong career in anti-submarine warfare. He worked for the Naval Air Systems Command, retiring from civil service in 1977, working for independent companies until finally retiring at age 80.

He is survived by Betty Sumey Thompson, his loving wife of 72 years. They met, fell in love at Catawba College and were married in Jacksonville, FL while he was a flight training cadet. Duke leaves behind his son, J. Michael Thompson (Carolyn) of Rockville, MD and his daughter Betsy T. Brady (Wayne) of Palmyra, VA; five grandchildren, Jeff Thompson (Becky) of Winston-Salem, NC, Courtney Lust (Jonathan) of Brookeville, MD, Kelley Winckler (Shep) of Olney, MD, Rob Buswell (Sarah) of Sterling, VA and Lee Lowery (Mike) of Arlington, VA. Also, ten great grands – Julian, Jessica, Emily, Christian, Jaxon, Grayson, Amelia, Jill, Patrick and Tommy. Duke’s sister, Jean T. Barrick, lives in Los Gatos, CA; his sister, Eleanor T. Wortz of Los Altos, CA passed away last year.

The family suggests that any memorial contributions be made to The Betty & Julian “Duke” Thompson Scholarship Fund, Catawba College, 2300 W. Innes St, Salisbury, NC 28144.

His family will welcome friends Thursday, July 24, from 2– 4 pm and 6 – 8pm at Murphy Funeral Home, 1102 West Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046. A celebration of Duke’s life will take place at Falcons Landing at a later date, followed by military burial at Arlington National Cemetery in the fall.